The BBC has a story about the amount spent by London councils on refurbishing their offices over the last two years.
Local Government Minister Bob Neill said :
"Whilst I recognise the need for councils to maintain their offices to a reasonable standard local authorities must exercise prudence.
"The age of vanity makeovers and excess in local government is over.
"If councils cut out wasteful spending on refurbishments then they can protect frontline services."
Biggest spender was Richmond (Lib Dem at the time) at £3.41 million. Enfield spent nearly half a million on their Town Hall lavatories. Islington spent £1.4 million on one Assembly Hall.